Smith M57

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LopezEL

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I have been looking for a .357 magnum revolver like the 686 that I sold. However, today at the range, an older gentleman was shooting a big revolver that somewhat resembled my 686 but with a half lug barrel. When he saw me watching him he asked me if I wanted to shoot his gun.

I happily obliged and found out that he was shooting a 41mag smith and wesson M57. I had never shot anything bigger than a .357 and expected the 41mag to be a bit tougher to handle. Holy smokes though... It was such a sweet and pleasant gun to shoot.

The recoil felt more like a light push rather than that snappy .357 recoil that I remember. It shot VERY well too... I shot all six rounds into a nice 1.5" group at about 20 yards, and I'm not even that good of a shot. The action was so smooth, the trigger was incredible. I think I might have found something else to explore in the revolver world. I had never contemplated a 41 mag... what can you guys tell me about it and the revolvers that are chambered in it? I have not heard much about this round previously.
 
Re: Smith & Wesson Model 57 .41 Magnum

Holy Smokes-

Looks like the .41 magnum isn't dead at all~! :scrutiny:

Well, NO it never has been. Its just been under appreciated, since its
introduction way back in 1964~! Truly, a remarkable caliber; able to
endure the challenges offered by big game, much like a .44 magnum.
Enough good things can not be said about the Smith & Wesson model
57. I once bought one NIB way back during the summer of 1971, for
a mere $175. Of course, thats back when the .44 magnum craze was
whizzing over handguner's heads; and you simply could not find any
model 29 .44 magnums for sale~! So, I went to my favorite shop
(where I am now an employee, get the picture~?), and there it was
lying there in its mahogany presentation box with tools and doc's.

It was late in the evening, so the banks were closed and I wasn't
loaded with cash in those days (nor these days, either); so I had
too wait till morning for the banks to open up. At 0900 hrs, I was
sitting at the banks door, awaiting to make a withdrawal. All of
the processing took bout 10 minutes, then I was on my way to
Simmons Sporting Goods (oh~! yes); which was around the corner
and a couple of blocks up the street. At approximately 0920, I
entered the store, filled out the 4473, and handed over $185.50
(with taxes added), and completed the process. Back then, the
State Of Alabama had a 72 hr "cooling off period*"; before I could
receive the weapon. After the 72 hour period had passed, I left
work 'bout 20 minutes early, drove to Bessemer, (AL) and picked
up this beauty~!

The following week-end was the first chance I got too shoot
this new 4" bright blue Smith & Wesson Model 57-nothing. Boy,
it was a joy too shoot. Next, I decided I wanted to handload
for it; never having done this before. The following week during
my luch hour I head over to the old AeroMarine (yes, of James
Earl Ray fame); and purchase a RCBS, Jr. press, shell holder,
RCBS .41 magnum dies, 100 Federal LP primers, and a 1lb can
of old Winchester-Western 630-P (now discontinued) ball powder,
100 Sierra 170 grain JHC [jacketed hollow cavity] bullets; along
with a then new Sierra manual. Off to the house I go, to begin
my new fan dangled "handloading". With the help of my friend
and fellow THR member Capbuster; my first batch of handloads
was a success, and we both fell in love with the .41 magnum.

After 'bout 1-1/2 years of playing with the Smith model 57 (and
when the .44 magnum craze peeked); I traded my much beloved
S&W model 57-nothing, for a well used but not abused S&W 4"
nickel plated model 29. Come to find out, it was a "police gun"
used on the streets by a Birmingham Police Officer. Its worthy
of note that both the S&W 57 and the S&W model 29 were both
of the "S" serial prefix series. Later, I sold the S&W model 29 to
a friend for much more than I had originally paid for the S&W
model 57. That is my story, on the wonderful experiences with
a piece of Americana history; the Smith & Wesson model 57~!

Lets Vote Too Keep The Drive Alive-
McCain-Palin On Nov. 4th~!
 
+1 to everything Dan said about the .41 Magnum.

S&W Model 57 revolvers have crossed over into collector territory, so finding a reasonably-priced one might be difficult.

And the .41 magnum factory ammo is expensive, but not a problem if you handload.
 
Were you shooting full charge loads or loaded down reloads? My guess is the latter.

The 41 is .410 inches in diameter. The 44 is .429 inches in diameter. Only
.019 inches difference.

It was introduced as a law enforcement round but never really took off. The 44 mag eclipsed it in the mid 70s with the Dirty Harry phenomenon via the Smith and Wesson model 29 and the model 57 never could catch up.

But ballistically, it was always said that a bear shot with a 41 mag would go down swearing it was hit with a 44.
 
I would have to say the best validation of the existence of the .41 Magnum cartridge would be another cartridge not even a sixgun round in the first place- the .40 S&W.
Here's why: the .41 was an answer to the call for a big bore round that wasn't a full-sized bullet like the .44s. So indeed was the .40- a downsized .45 Auto that still starts with the "4".
It so happened that sixguns passed out of common law-enforcement and other primary self-defense applications right around the time the .41 should have gotten moving.
The .40 did, though, filling the self-loader's same call.
Sure wish I'd picked up one of those 58s that were laying around for $250 a few years back, but then, who among us with more than a couple of years of haunting the glass cases of financial ruin hasn't?
Meanwhile, I still dream happy dreams of a .41 Python...
 
Fuel For Thought-

Within the past two weeks here in October '08, I have sold two S&W .41
magnums at our shop:

a) the first was a UNFIRED 4" Smith & Wesson Model 58 Military & Police
Model, in its original box, with tools and docs; wrapped in the old brown
wax paper. Note: this firearm had NEVER had the cylinder turned, as NO
cylinder stop drag marks were visible. Going price = $995 + 9% sales tax.

b) the second was a factory nickel 4" Smith & Wesson Model 57-nothing
with N-serial prefix, tools and docs; in the mahogany presentation case.
This firearm had only a very slight cylinder stop drag mark visible. Going
price = $995 + 9% sales tax.

*FootNote- both went to the same customer~! ;) :D

Att: harmonic My Friend-

You know, I don't recall the exact powder charge; but I believe the advestised
velocity was something like 1300 fps, from the test tube at the factory.

McCain-Palin On Nov. 4th~!
 
From my Lyman manual:

...........the 44 mag, 200 gr jhp, 23.6 gr 2400 produces 1227 fps.

...........the 41 mag, 200 gr hjhp, 20 gr 2400 produces 1277 fps.

Both loads were listed as maximum for the caliber. Not enough of a difference in the real world to notice.

The firearm used was a "Universal Receiver" for both.
 
The 41 magnum is a great caliber. It is easier to shoot well than the 44 mag for me. The trajectory seems to be a little flatter than the 44 mag.

Everyone always says that 41 ammo is more expensive than 44 mag. Not the case. They are priced about the same with factory loadings.

I would not be surprised that you were shooting lower powered rounds at the range.
 
I know for a fact that I was shooting reloads. He said they were supposed to be going around 1100 fps. I talked to him for a little while; I had seen him at the range before. He also said that he bought his M57 for about $400 but that he knew the price had gone up.

When I asked him how much, he said probably $600-$700. I guess he was wrong though, from what yall are saying and the ones I saw on gunbroker they are definitely on the pricey side. I actually playfully offered him $600 just to see what he said but he respectfully declined although he has two of them. One is stainless and the other is blue. I shot the stainless one. That revolver is beautiful, effective, and full of character. It was a bit dirty from his range session but in perfect mechanical condition and had no visible scratches. Alas, I can keep dreaming until the day that I can afford to buy one or find one for a good price somewhere. Is Smith and Wesson even producing these 41 magnum guns anymore? Thanks for the replies guys.
 
Check their website, but last I saw you could order one up. Although for N frames I prefer the blued carbon steel for it's metallurgy.
 
The stainless Smith is a Model 657. You generally can't pry a .41 out of a owners hand. We tend to hoard all we can find. I have 10 different models (Smiths, Rugers, DW, and Marlin) and always looking for a few more specific ones to add. Now I love the .44 spl but if I step up to the magnums then I grab a .41 not the .44.
 
I sure could use a 657 here to save beating up my old 57. They are kind of like spud chips.
 
I'm gonna revive this thread just to mention that it took me nearly a year and half but I just recently bought my very own Smith and Wesson M57 no dash... in the presentation box, with cleaning kit. $750 shipped.

I have not shot it yet... it does not look shot although it does have a turn line from me handling it. It feels great in my hand but I have not found any ammo for it. In fact, I had a hard time finding brass. I still have to order the dies and bullets for it. I will shoot it as soon as I can make myself some ammo.
 
I carried a Model 58 as a duty sidearm for many years.
Obsidian.jpg
I used it to stop cars, critters, and crooks.
Since then I have acquired a couple of Model 57's
P1010001.gif
Mdl57.gif

I guess you could say I believe in the 41 Mag.
 
The .41 Mag is my favorite caliber. I to find it easy to shoot, very manageable recoil and a create caliber for hunting. It can be a little more difficult to find factory ammo than say the .44 Mag but it's not impossible and if you reload it's irrelevant anyways.

I bought a .44 Mag after I had my .41 Mag and shortly after shooting them both, I parted ways with the .44 Mag...my .41 can do everything the .44 could do and for me was more fun to shoot.

A Model 57 is on my list of revolvers to get someday, until then I will just have to shoot my 657!

IMG_4398.jpg



Here's a few more shots of my PC 657 in this thread...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=517174
 
I have been a .41 mag fan since I bought my Blackhawk in 1968. I hunt with a .41 Redhawk and also a T/C contender with a 10" .41 barrel.

I really got fired up on them when I started dating my wife and her LEO brother carried Nickeled Mdl 58 as his duty weapons. We shot it a bunch behind his house. They all carried "Super Vel" ammo back then and them babies were hot.
I have always wanted a 4" 57, 58 or even a 657 but the prices have really gone high. I still hope to have one some day!
 
I started with a Blackhawk and learned to reload with it. Loved it even though the standard Blackhawk grip frame can be hard to deal with firing heavy loads. Sold it to buy a S&W 57 4 in (older pinned and recessd, will never sell that one) Back in 1989 I came across a NIB Bisley Blackhawk in .41 and won't ever sell that one either. It will place every round on a steel ram at 200 meters all day long (and whack the snot out of it). But honestly to really get the full potential from the cartridge you have to reload. If you don't mind spending time working up THE LOAD, it doesn't get much better than this. Because most of the guns chambered in .41 were adapted from guns designed for the .44 there is more steel left in the barrel and cylinder resulting in a heavier gun - less recoil - longer life. I wouldn't want to have to lug around a 4 in. 57 on a belt all day but when the curtain goes up, it will get the job done very nicely.
 
Last year, I decided to find a M57 or M58. I prefered the M58, but wouldn't tund down a M57. I found one on GB opening bid of $450. I bid that and forgot about it. Imagine my shock when about 3 days later, I got an e-mail informing me that I had won.

Delivered, $480.

M57, no dash. Pinned and recessed. Loverly.. I am so tickled
 
Iggy, that is one sweet looking m58!!!! Worn in all the right places! Ive wanted a M57 for a couple of years but I never found the right gun at the right price. Then I saw my first M58 in person and fell in love. Oh well Sooner or later I'll find one.
 
Clifford,
That gun and I spent 13 years in a patrol car and logged a million miles together.

We were in some squabbles, but that ol 58 came through when it was desperately needed.

We are both semi-retired now. We went out to the ranch last summer, and it was just like puttin' on an old sweater. We are still a good team.
 
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